Hello and Goodbye

epilogue

"Stop!"i giggled. "Stop it!"

"Nope!" Toby laughed, tickling me further.

"I-i cant b-breathe!" I said between laughs and he let me go, leaning off me and letting himself fall the corner of the couch. A soft smile on his lips as he took my blushing state in.

"Youre cute" he smiled harder and his eyes swam with affection.

My breathing eased and then i remembered what tonight was.

It was the last night,

That i would ever see him.

"Hey, hey what's wrong princess?" Concern krept over his face as he sat up.

I shook my head.

"I want to do something" it's my last chance. I thought but i didnt say it.

Mom made me promise, to not tell a soul. That we would be safe that way.

"Yeah, anything. Youre my little mate Charlie and i want you happy. Always. " he tucked a lose strande behind my ear.

I nodded nervously and moved myself so i was straddling his lap.

He tensed immediately. "Charlie" he sighed.

"Please. Please just let me kiss you." I said. Ill never see you again.

I leaned in, wanting my first kiss to be him.

But was stopped when his fingers held my chin gently. "Baby girl you know I cant."

And with those words my heart shattered.

"This isnt right. " he continued. "Youre so young...I..I cant take your childhood away. Youre my mate and i want everything for you, you know this."

I sniffled as i looked away from his blue eyes. "Do you.. do you even like me?"

"Charlie, i think youre the prettiest thing ive seen. Youre just so young. Im always going to be here, im not going anywhere. I dont care if i have to wait decades." His words were soft and i could feel his eyes scanning my face.

He was right. He was 16 and I was just a little girl. I was nothing. Soon id be just a memory.

I got off of him and folded my eyes. "Get out." I began to cry.

"Please dont cry, im so sorry. I-"

"Get out!" I yelled. And i refused to look at him as he stepped closer.

"Ill see you tomorrow Charlie" the hurt in his voice was evident. He pressed a kiss to my head and i cried harder.

I would never feel it again.

I slammed the door shut as he silently stepped out of the house looking back at me.

**********
"Charlie c'mon" my mother whispered lightly as she shook me awake. "I packed the car, we have to get on the road while it's still dark out"

I nodded grogily and helped her carry the last few boxes to the truck. It was dawn and she was right; it was time to get out this town.

I took one last glance at the house i had called home the last few years. My mom threw her arms around me amd i thought i ssw her eyes gloss.

She knew how happy i was here. I think she hated having to rip me away. 

"Lets go honey. " she whispered and we climbed in the truck just as the sun was beginning to rise slowly as she started tge engine and pulled us out of the driveway. "Im not going to let your father hurt us anymore. I wont let him hurt you ever again"

I nodded, trying not to cry. My dad was abusive when i was a toddler. So my mom took me, and we moved here.

My dad found us, a few months back. Hes been breaking in, hurting us, all over again.

She was afraid he would kill us soon. And thats why we were leaving. Thats why no one could know.

A heart broken howl pulled me out of my thoughts and i looked out of my window to see a large black wolf, running along the forest that lined the back roads.

Toby.

He howled again, his head glancing at me frantically.

He was so hurt and so confused, as he struggled to keep up with the moving truck.

He followed the truck going crazy...
My poor wolf.

I closed my eyes as we crossed the border. He wouldn't be able to follow.

Horrible howls of agony filled the morning,

As we drove away from everything that ever mattered.